Bazal Dam dam
Bazal Dam
Bazal Dam, located in Marengo, Iowa, was completed in 1996 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. Owned privately, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans 425 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 53 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Bazal Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. The dam is situated on the TR-Hog Run river/stream and covers a surface area of 5.5 acres, with a drainage area of 0.2 square miles. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has not experienced any major incidents, making it a reliable structure for water storage and management in the region.
Water and climate enthusiasts will find Bazal Dam an intriguing site for its design and purpose. As a key element in the local water infrastructure, the dam provides essential services while maintaining a moderate risk level. Its location in Tama County, Iowa, adds to the significance of this structure in safeguarding the environment and supporting the community's water needs.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Bazal Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 130 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 34 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 32 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 118 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,360 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bazal Dam.
Boat launches
- 360th Street Tama County
- P Avenue Tama County
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- Atv Trail Tama
- C Avenue Tama County
- Tama County
Campgrounds
- Otter Creek Lake And Park
- Hannen County Park
- T. F. Clark Co Park
- Rodgers County Park
- Hickory Hills Park - La Porte City
- Union Grove State Park
More reservoirs
Track Bazal Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Bazal Dam
Where does the data for Bazal Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Bazal Dam.